Pushing shopping carts piled high with toys and games, kids rolled around Walmart with the Alaska State Troopers gathering up toys and items for families in need this holiday season.

Every year Santa’s Helpers, a local nonprofit, provides food, essential items and gifts to local families. The trooper shopping spree is a tradition that brings school-aged kids and law enforcement together for a holiday cheer.

Joy Gonzales is a volunteer with Santa’s Helpers. She hands out assignments to each team with a category, age group to shop for and a budget. This year troopers and Spaulding Chiropractic Clinic each contributed $3,000; their donation and the shopping trip makes it so Santa’s Helpers doesn’t have to solely rely on donations.

“It’s an investment in the bank of public trust,” Captain E

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